Signal processing at a telecommunications endpoint

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable the offloading of some of the signal processing that has often been centralized in a telecommunications network, to one or more telecommunications endpoints. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based telecommunications endpoint that comprises processing and memory resources determines the resource availability of one or more of its resources. The endpoint transmits the resource availability information to a data-processing system, which then transmits a signal-processing computer program back to the endpoint. The computer program is based on the resources that are available at the endpoint. The endpoint then proceeds to use the computer program to process the signals that are received—for example, during the course of a phone call that involves the endpoint. The signal processing that is performed can include noise reduction, echo cancellation, muting, automatic gain control, and so forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications in general, and,more particularly, to processing one or more received signals at atelecommunications endpoint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system 100 inthe prior art. Telecommunications system 100 comprisestelecommunications network 101; telecommunications endpoints 102-1through 102-G, wherein G is a positive integer; and call-processingservers 103-1 through 103-H, wherein H is a positive integer. Theelements in system 100 are interconnected as shown.

Telecommunications network 101 comprises one or more subnetworks thatenable the devices depicted in FIG. 1 to communicate with each other.For example, network 101 might comprise the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN), as well as an Internet Protocol-based network and othernetworks of other types (e.g., cellular network, local area network,etc.). Network 101 comprises infrastructure such as switches, routers,and transmission facilities that enable telecommunications service, suchas calling capability, to one or more of telecommunications endpoints102-1 through 102-G.

Telecommunications endpoints 102-1 through 102-G are capable oforiginating and receiving calls for end users. Endpoints 102-1 through102-G are of various types that can include Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN) endpoints, Internet Protocol-capable endpoints, SessionInitiation Protocol (SIP)-based endpoints, cellular endpoints,WiFi-enabled endpoints, and so forth.

Call-processing servers 103-1 through 103-H are data-processing systemsthat provide telecommunications services to endpoints 102-1 through102-G. At least some of servers 103-1 through 103-H control calls fromone telecommunications endpoint to another, such as from endpoint 102-1to endpoint 102-5, for example.

One or more of call-processing servers 103-1 through 103-H are alsocapable of processing signals that are transmitted to or are receivedfrom endpoints 102-1 through 102-G. Specialized computer programs thatembody signal processing algorithms perform the processing. Sometimes,each computer program is intended to process signals associated with oneendpoint only, sometimes each computer program is intended to processsignals associated with multiple endpoints, and sometimes multiplecomputer programs are needed to process the signals associated with oneor more endpoints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables the offloading of some of the signalprocessing that has often been centralized in a telecommunicationsnetwork, to one or more telecommunications endpoints. In accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a packet-basedtelecommunications endpoint that comprises processing and memoryresources determines the resource availability of one or more of itsresources. The endpoint transmits the resource availability informationto a data-processing system, which then transmits a signal-processingcomputer program back to the endpoint. The computer program is based onthe resources that are available at the endpoint. The endpoint thenproceeds to use the computer program to process the signals that arereceived—for example, during the course of a phone call that involvesthe endpoint. The signal processing that is performed can include noisereduction, echo cancellation, muting, automatic gain control, and soforth.

The technique of the illustrative embodiment has application forpre-existing telecommunications endpoints that are capable of receiving,storing, and using programs, as well as for new endpoints. Thepre-existing endpoints already use programs that are capable of handlingcall setup and control. In some embodiments, the pre-existing endpointshave the capability of assessing the resource availability of one ormore on-board resources; in some other embodiments, the endpoints do nothave the assessment capability, but are able to accept a computerprogram that is received either through downloading or through othermeans.

The technique of the illustrative embodiment performs signal processingat the endpoint, where the processing depends on (i) the particularcomputer program that is downloaded and (ii) the ongoing resourceavailabilities of one or more endpoint resources. For example, thecomputer program might specify skipping over data samples that have beenread into the endpoint's memory buffer or changing the values of one ormore data samples, or a combination of the two. The technique isadvantageous over some of the centralized signal processing techniquesin the prior art, in that it takes advantage of the unutilized orunderutilized resources at each endpoint. For example, where a firstendpoint is processor-plentiful and memory-limited, a first computerprogram that is processor-intensive might be provided and used, andwhere a second endpoint is memory-plentiful and processor-limited, asecond computer program that is memory-intensive might be provided andused.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: areceiver for receiving, from a telecommunications network, a firstseries of data samples that represent a first acoustic signal; a memoryfor buffering the first series of data samples; and a processor for: i)determining a resource availability of a first resource at thetelecommunications endpoint, and ii) generating a second series of datasamples, based on: (a) the signal content of the data samples in thefirst series, and (b) the resource availability of the first resource.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system 100 inthe prior art.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system 200 inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the salient components oftelecommunications endpoint 202-j, in accordance with the illustrativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when handling signals that it receives fromtelecommunications network 201, in accordance with the illustrativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when executing task 401.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when executing task 406.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of telecommunications system 200 inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.Telecommunications system 200 comprises telecommunications network 201;telecommunications endpoints 202-1 through 202-J, wherein J is apositive integer; and data-processing systems 203-1 through 203-K,wherein K is a positive integer. The elements in system 200 areinterconnected as shown.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, telecommunicationsnetwork 201 comprises the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).Through PSTN infrastructure, as well as through other infrastructureoutside of the PSTN, network 201 provides telecommunications service totelecommunications endpoints 202-1 through 202-J. As those who areskilled in the art will appreciate, in some alternative embodiments,network 201 can comprise a different group of subnetworks than depicted,such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following:

-   -   i. an Internet Protocol-based network, such as the Internet or a        private network (e.g., VoIP service provider network, etc.),        supported by routers;    -   ii. an enterprise network supported by one or more private        branch exchanges;    -   iii. a cellular network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, etc.) supported by one        or more mobile switching centers;    -   iv. a wireline (e.g., Ethernet, etc.) or wireless (e.g., WiFi,        etc.) local area network (LAN); and    -   v. the Public Switched Telephone Network.

FIG. 2 also depicts telecommunications endpoints 202-1 through 202-J ofvarious types. The endpoint types that are represented includeIntegrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) endpoints 202-1 through202-3, Internet Protocol endpoints 202-4 through 202-6; SessionInitiation Protocol (SIP)-based endpoints 202-7 and 202-8; cellularendpoints 202-9 and 202-10, WiFi-enabled endpoints 202-11 and 202-12,and so forth. As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, insome alternative embodiments, other types or combinations of endpointsthan those depicted can operate in accordance with the presentinvention. Moreover, the present invention is well-suited forimplementation in telecommunications endpoints that operate in eitherpublic or private telecommunications systems, where those systems can bewireline or wireless-based, or both.

Telecommunications endpoint 202-j, for j=1 through J, are capable oforiginating and receiving calls for end users in well-known fashion.Endpoint 202-j is also capable of performing the tasks described belowand with respect to FIGS. 4 through 6, in accordance with theillustrative embodiment. The salient components of endpoint 202-j aredescribed in detail below and with respect to FIG. 3.

Data-processing system 203-k, for k=1 through K, providestelecommunications services to telecommunications endpoints 202-1through 202-J. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment,data-processing systems 203-1 through 203-K are call processing serversthat are capable of controlling calls from one telecommunicationsendpoint to another, such as from endpoint 202-1 to endpoint 202-5, forexample. As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, in somealternative embodiments, some of data-processing systems 203-1 through203-K comprise functionality other than call control, such as databasefunctionality, web server functionality, and so forth.

One or more of data-processing systems 203-1 through 203-K are alsocapable of downloading a computer program to endpoint 202-j inwell-known fashion. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, thedownloaded computer program is capable of performing one or morefunctions at endpoint 202-j such as analyzing a series of data samplesthat represent a media signal (e.g., audio, etc.). The downloadablecomputer program can be one of many possible programs, each programbeing capable of performing a different function that requires a knownprocessing resource requirement (e.g., processor occupancy, memoryutilization, etc.) and occupying a known amount of memory whendownloaded to endpoint 202-j.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading thisdisclosure, how to make and use data-processing systems 203-1 through203-K.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of the salient components oftelecommunications endpoint 202-j, in accordance with the illustrativeembodiment of the present invention. Telecommunications endpoint 202-jcomprises: transceiver 301, main processor 302, memory 303, digitalsignal processor 304, speaker 305, microphone 306, and keypad 307,interconnected as shown. As those who are skilled in the art willappreciate, in some alternative embodiments, the salient components canbe arranged differently than depicted.

Transceiver 301 comprises a receiving part and a transmitting part. Thereceiving part receives signals, in the form of packetized data samplesand messages, from telecommunications network 201, and forwards theinformation encoded in the signals to main processor 302, in well-knownfashion. The transmitting part receives information from main processor302, and outputs signals that encode this information totelecommunications network 201, in well-known fashion. It will be clearto those skilled in the art how to make and use transceiver 301.

Main processor 302 is a general-purpose processor that is capable of:receiving information from transceiver 301, digital signal processor304, and keypad 307; reading data from and writing data into memory 303;executing the tasks described below and with respect to FIGS. 4 through6; and transmitting information to transceiver 301 and digital signalprocessor 304. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention,main processor 302 might be a special-purpose processor. In either case,it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading thisdisclosure, how to make and use main processor 302.

Memory 303 is a device that stores the instructions and data used bymain processor 302. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment,memory 303 comprises a buffer that stores a series of data samples fromnetwork 201. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to makeand use memory 303.

Digital signal processor 304 is a special-purpose processor that iscapable of: receiving information from main processor 302 and microphone306; reading data from and writing data into memory 303; signalprocessing the signals that it receives; and transmitting information totransceiver 301 and speaker 305. In some alternative embodiments of thepresent invention, digital signal processor 304 a digital-to-analogconverter, an analog-to-digital converter, or both. In any case, it willbe clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, howto make and use digital signal processor 304.

Speaker 305 converts electromagnetic signals into acoustic signals(e.g., intended for the end user, etc.), and microphone 306 convertsacoustic signals (e.g., from the end user, etc.) into electromagneticsignals, both in well-known fashion.

Keypad 307 is a character and user-selection input device as is wellknown in the art that receives input from a user and transmits keypadsignals that represent that input. Keypad 307 comprises fixed functionkeys and soft keys, as are known in the art.

In some alternative embodiments, telecommunications endpoint 202-j alsocomprises a video display or a camera, or both, in well-known fashion.In those embodiments, endpoint 202-j can process data samples thatrepresent video signals, in addition to data samples that representacoustic signals.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when handling signals that it receives from network 201,in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.Although endpoint 202-j is depicted as receiving and processing signalsreceived from network 201, it will be clear to those skilled in the arthow to make and use embodiments of the present invention that receiveand process signals from an end user, such as though microphone 306.Moreover, although endpoint 202-j is depicted as using a computerprogram that is downloaded from network 201, the computer program thatendpoint 202-j uses can be installed through another means (e.g., duringthe manufacturing process, during initial configuring, etc.), in somealternative embodiments. Finally, it will be clear to those skilled inthe art, after reading this specification, which tasks depicted in FIG.4 can be performed simultaneously or in a different order than thatdepicted.

At task 401, endpoint 202-j determines whether to receive, store, anduse a computer program from network 201. Task 401 is described in detailbelow and with respect to FIG. 5. Endpoint 202-j uses the downloadedcomputer program to execute some or all of tasks 402 through 407, inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At task 402, endpoint 202-j receives, from network 201, a first seriesof data samples that represent an acoustic signal. In accordance withthe illustrative embodiment, the data samples are generated as part of atelephone call that involves endpoint 202-j and its user.

At task 403, endpoint 202-j buffers, in memory 303, the received firstseries of data samples in a first-in, first-out fashion. In accordancewith the illustrative embodiment, endpoint 202-j maintains the buffereddata samples by using a write pointer, a read pointer, and one or morepop pointers, as are known in the art; the pointers are continuallyupdated by main processor 302.

Endpoint 202-j is able to buffer in memory 303 a maximum of M datasamples, wherein M is a positive integer with a value that depends onthe resource availability of memory 303. The resource availability isinitially determined as part of task 401 and then updated as part oftask 404.

At task 404, endpoint 202-j determines the current resource availabilityof one or more of its resources, such as within main processor 302,memory 303, and digital signal processor 304. For example, mainprocessor 302 can monitor its processor occupancy, the memoryutilization of the endpoint, and so forth, and derive the availabilityof the resource of interest—that is, processing cycles, memory space,and so forth—when needed.

At task 405, endpoint 202-j analyzes the signal content in the firstseries of data samples. For example, processor 302 can determine theamplitude of the represented signal, the DC level of the signal,distortion, noise, loss of packets, level changes, echo, and so forth.In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the type of analysisthat is performed on the data samples depends on the computer program inuse and, therefore, on the resource availability at endpoint 202-j ofone or more of its resources.

At task 406, endpoint 202-j generates a second series of data samples,based on the signal content of the analyzed data samples in the firstseries and on the resource availability of one or more of its resources,as determined at task 404. Task 406 is described in detail below andwith respect to FIG. 6.

At task 407, endpoint 202-j converts the data samples in the secondseries into an electromagnetic signal that represents a second acousticsignal, which is transmitted to the user via speaker 305. The degree towhich the second acoustic signal differs from the first acoustic signal,which was represented by the data samples received at task 402, dependson the resource availability determined at task 404.

Task execution then proceeds to task 402, to process the next series ofdata samples that are received by endpoint 202-j as part of the ongoingcall. Note that as the resource availability changes from series toseries, the type and degree of processing that is performed by endpoint202-j may change in some embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when executing task 401, in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention. The tasks that aredepicted in FIG. 5 concern endpoint 202-j retrieving a computer programthat is to be used to process signals that are part of a call. It willbe clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification,which tasks depicted in FIG. 5 can be performed simultaneously or in adifferent order than that depicted.

At task 501, endpoint 202-j determines the current resource availabilityof one or more of its resources, such as within main processor 302,memory 303, and digital signal processor 304. For example, mainprocessor 302 can assess its processor occupancy, the memoryutilization, and so forth.

At task 502, endpoint 202-j transmits the current resource availabilityinformation that it determined at task 501 to data-processing system203-k.

At task 503, endpoint 202-j receives a computer program fromdata-processing system 203-k. The computer program and aspects of theprogram (e.g., complexity, processing requirements, storagerequirements, etc.) are dependent on the resource availabilityinformation that was transmitted at task 502. Task execution thenproceeds to task 402.

In some alternative embodiments, endpoint 202-j spontaneously receives acomputer program, in contrast to retrieving the program.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of the operation of telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j when executing task 406, in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention. The tasks that aredepicted in FIG. 6 concern endpoint 202-j processing the input datasamples with the downloaded computer program, resulting in a series ofprocessed samples. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, afterreading this specification, which tasks depicted in FIG. 6 can beperformed simultaneously or in a different order than that depicted.

At task 601, endpoint 202-j determines whether a manipulation of thedata sample buffer or an alteration of the data sample values is calledfor, or both. If buffer manipulation is called for, task executionproceeds to task 602. Otherwise, task execution proceeds to task 603.

At task 602, endpoint 202-j adjusts the buffer pointers to skip over Ndata samples in the first series, based on the computer program in useand on the results of the analysis performed at task 405 on the signalcontent of the data samples. N is a positive integer whose value is lessthan or equal to M, described above and with respect to task 403. Forexample, if a noise burst is detected in twenty consecutive datasamples, endpoint 202-j skips by some or all of the twenty samples andpossibly other (adjacent) samples as well. Endpoint 202-j might skip oneor more data samples that correspond to an echo, depending on the typeof echo and its duration. The skipped data samples are not passed alongto any subsequent processing or to the user.

At task 603, endpoint 202-j determines whether an alteration of the datasample values is called for. If so, task execution proceeds to task 604.If not, task execution proceeds to task 407.

At task 604, endpoint 202-j processes the signal in the current seriesof data samples. The type of signal processing performed depends on thecomputer program in use. The type of signal processing performedcomprises, but is not limited to, level-sensitive muting (i.e.,squelching), automatic gain control (AGC), signal processing feedback toreduce distortion, and so forth. Furthermore, the signal processingmight involve main processor 302 or digital signal processor 304, orboth. After task 604, task execution proceeds to task 407.

In executing the signal processing computer program, telecommunicationsendpoint 202-j has the effect of offloading, from one or moredata-processing systems 203-1 through 203-K, the generation of theprocessed second series of data samples, in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention. In some alternativeembodiments, as those who are skilled in the art will appreciate,endpoint 202-j has the effect of augmenting signal processing that isstill performed by one or more data-processing systems 203-1 through203-K.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merelyillustrative of the present invention and that many variations of theabove-described embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in thisspecification, numerous specific details are provided in order toprovide a thorough description and understanding of the illustrativeembodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art willrecognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one ormore of those details, or with other methods, materials, components,etc.

Furthermore, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of the illustrative embodiments. It is understood that thevarious embodiments shown in the Figures are illustrative, and are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Reference throughout the specification to“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that aparticular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodimentof the present invention, but not necessarily all embodiments.Consequently, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment,” “in anembodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, orcharacteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. It is therefore intended that such variations be includedwithin the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telecommunications endpoint comprising: areceiver for receiving, from a telecommunications network, a firstseries of data samples that represent a first acoustic signal; a memoryfor buffering the first series of data samples; and a processor for: i)determining a resource availability of a predetermined resource at thetelecommunications endpoint, and ii) generating a second series of datasamples, based on signal content of the data samples in the firstseries; wherein the telecommunications endpoint, based on the resourceavailability of the predetermined resource, offloads the generation ofthe second series of data samples from a data-processing system in thetelecommunications network.
 2. The telecommunications endpoint of claim1 wherein the receiver is also for receiving a computer program from thetelecommunications network, wherein the memory is also for storing thecomputer program, and wherein the processor uses the computer programfor the generation of the second series of data samples.
 3. Thetelecommunications endpoint of claim 2 wherein the receiving of thecomputer program depends on the resource availability of thepredetermined resource.
 4. The telecommunications endpoint of claim 1wherein the predetermined resource is the memory, wherein thetelecommunications endpoint is able to buffer a maximum of M datasamples in the memory, wherein the value of M depends on the resourceavailability of the memory, and wherein M is a positive integer.
 5. Thetelecommunications endpoint of claim 4, wherein the generating of thesecond series of data samples involves skipping over N data samples inthe memory, wherein the value of N depends on the signal content of thedata samples, and wherein N is a positive integer that is less than orequal to M.
 6. The telecommunications endpoint of claim 1 wherein thepredetermined resource is the processor, wherein the processor is alsofor analyzing the signal content of the data samples in the firstseries, and wherein the type of analysis depends on the resourceavailability of the processor.
 7. The telecommunications endpoint ofclaim 1 further comprising a digital-to-analog converter for convertingthe data samples in the second series into an electromagnetic signalthat represents a second acoustic signal, wherein the degree to whichthe second acoustic signal differs from the first acoustic signaldepends on the resource availability of the predetermined resource.
 8. Amethod comprising: receiving at a telecommunications endpoint, from atelecommunications network, a first series of data samples thatrepresent a first acoustic signal; buffering the first series of datasamples; determining a resource availability of a predetermined resourceat the telecommunications endpoint; and generating a second series ofdata samples, based on signal content of the data samples in the firstseries; wherein the telecommunications endpoint, based on the resourceavailability of the predetermined resource, offloads the generation ofthe second series of data samples from a data-processing system in thetelecommunications network.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprisingreceiving a computer program from the telecommunications network into amemory, wherein the telecommunications endpoint uses the computerprogram for the generation of the second series of data samples.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the receiving of the computer program dependson the resource availability of the predetermined resource.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the predetermined resource is a memory,wherein the telecommunications endpoint is able to buffer a maximum of Mdata samples in the memory, wherein the value of M depends on theresource availability of the memory, and wherein M is a positiveinteger.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating of thesecond series of data samples involves skipping over N data samples inthe first series in the memory, wherein the value of N depends on thesignal content of the data samples, and wherein N is a positive integerthat is less than or equal to M.
 13. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising analyzing the signal content of the data samples in the firstseries, wherein the predetermined resource is a processor, and whereinthe type of analysis depends on the resource availability of theprocessor.
 14. A telecommunications endpoint comprising: a receiver forreceiving, from a telecommunications network, i) a computer program, andii) a first series of data samples that represent a first acousticsignal; a memory for i) storing the computer program, and ii) bufferingthe first series of data samples; and a processor for i) determining aresource availability of a predetermined resource at thetelecommunications endpoint, and ii) using the computer program forgenerating a second series of data samples by skipping over N datasamples in the first series in the memory, wherein the value of N isbased on signal content of the data samples, and wherein N is a positiveinteger wherein the telecommunications endpoint offloads, from adata-processing system in the telecommunications network, the generationof the second series of data samples; and wherein the computer programreceived depends on the resource availability of the predeterminedresource.
 15. The telecommunications endpoint of claim 14 wherein thepredetermined resource is the memory, wherein the telecommunicationsendpoint is able to buffer a maximum of M data samples in the memory,wherein the value of M depends on the resource availability of thepredetermined resource, wherein M is a positive integer, and wherein Nis less than or equal to M.
 16. The telecommunications endpoint of claim14 wherein the predetermined resource is the processor, wherein theprocessor is also for analyzing the signal content of the data samplesin the first series, wherein the type of analysis depends on theresource availability of the processor.
 17. A method comprising:determining a resource availability of a predetermined resource at atelecommunications endpoint; receiving at the telecommunicationsendpoint, from a telecommunications network, i) a computer program, andii) a first series of data samples that represent a first acousticsignal, wherein the computer program received is based on the resourceavailability of the predetermined resource; buffering the first seriesof data samples in a memory; and generating, based on the computerprogram, a second series of data samples by skipping over N data samplesin the first series in the memory, wherein the value of N is based onsignal content of the data samples, and wherein N is a positive integer;wherein the telecommunications endpoint offloads, from a data-processingsystem in the telecommunications network, the generation of the secondseries of data samples.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein thepredetermined resource is the memory, wherein the telecommunicationsendpoint is able to buffer a maximum of M data samples in the memory,wherein the value of M depends on the resource availability of thepredetermined resource, wherein M is a positive integer, and wherein Nis less than or equal to M.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein thepredetermined resource is a processor, wherein the processor is foranalyzing the signal content of the data samples in the first series,wherein the type of analysis depends on the resource availability of theprocessor.